Culture

A variety of museums, industrial heritage and cultural sites invite for sightseeing in Essen. Discover the highlights of Europe’s Capital of Culture 2010 like for example the UNESCO world heritage Zollverein Mine, the best-known industrial monument of the city. Villa Hügel, the former residence of the Krupp dynasty is worth a visit as well.

Different museums like the Museum Folkwang, well-known throughout Germany, or the Red Dot Design Museum attract visitors interested in art.

Moreover, the Philharmonic Concert Hall as well as lots of theaters offer innumerable cultural entertainment opportunities.

Shopping

„Essen - Die Einkaufsstadt“ – These large and bright letters on the roof of our hotel building mean „Essen – The city for shopping“ and welcome everybody who goes shopping in the downtown area of Essen with more than 700 retail shops and boutiques. The central location of the Mövenpick Hotel Essen at the beginning of the pedestrian zone is the perfect starting point for an extensive shopping tour.

The pedestrian zone and especially the streets “Kettwiger Straße”, “Limbecker Straße” and the area around the Kennedy Square attract enthusiastic shoppers with lots of shops, cafés and restaurants. Moreover you will find one of Germany’s largest inner city shopping malls: “Limbecker Platz” offers more than 200 different shops.

Smaller shopping zones in the various districts of Essen like Rüttenscheid, Werden, Borbeck, Altenessen or Steele also offer a unique shopping experience.

Recreation

Essen is located in the middle of the Ruhr area – but contrary to many prejudices it is one of greenest cities in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Visit the spacious Gruga Park and explore the variety of plants in the botanical garden there. Also the idyllic and historic city district Margarethenhöhe invites you for a walk. In the south of the city the forest “Stadtwald” and Lake Baldeney attract nature enthusiasts and recreational visitors. Around Lake Baldeneyand along theRuhr river there areeven fournature and birdreserves,whererare waterbirdslive and breed.